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CARRIE LAW MORGAN FIGGS 



Nuggets af dalfr 




€artfe Slam Utegan 3F*0$s 

(Author of "POETIC PEARLS") 



Copyright 1921 
By Carrie Law Morgan Figgs 
528 East 46th Place 
Chicago, III. 



Pr/ce 50 cents 



** 







Chicago, Illinois 



3C1A623198 



/S/ 






CONTENTS 

Page 

Preface * * • ♦ 7 

My Nuggets of Gold « m ) * 9 

A Prayer * * m # 10 

Life * # * # 11 

Love * • ♦ * 12 

Whoa Mule * * * * 13 

Rolling Waters * * « 15 

The Negro's Upward Flight * 16 

We are Marching » * » 17 

Signs « * # 18 

The Black Queen » » 19 

Dear Old Home of Mine * 20 

A Temperance Poem # 9 21 

Nancy * * * 22 

I will Trust in Jesus * * 23 

Who's You Talking To # 24 

The Murderer * * ♦ 25 

The Picnic » * * 28 

That Eastern Star * * 30 

Smile, Work and Sing * # 31 



PREFACE 

DEAR READER, 

The enormous sales of "Poetic Pearls" 
has inspired me to send to you "Nuggets of 
Gold", "Poetic Pearls" met with such popu- 
lar favor until I've received some very beau- 
tiful letters complimenting them. 

We give a few extracts below : 

Rev. John A. Gregg A. M., D. D. President of 
Wilberforce University says: 

'Poetic Pearls' is a very fine contribution, Tarn 
very much pleased with it. 

Rev. J. C. Caldwell, ex-secretary Allen Christ- 
ian Endeavor League, says: 

The book is a contribution to the literature of 
our race. 

Hon. Charles H. Anderson, Capitalist and bank- 
er, says: 

This book is entitled to a place in a class with 
the best poems of the world. 

Rev. John W. Jones, Associate Editor of The 
Fla. Times Union, says: 

"Poetic Pearls" scatters sunshine and point out 
ten shining points on the checkered pathway of life. 

Madame Victoria Clay Haley, says: 

I feel sure that much inspiration will be gained 
by the reading of these pages. The first two selec- 
tions alone are worth the price of the book. 

Rev. Arthur L. James, pastor First Baptist 
Church, Roanoke, Va., says: 



It is not only production of literary merit, but 
it is soul deep in its rich contributions toward help- 
ing the world to become sweeter, kinder, safer and 
happier. 

Major R. R. Jackson, Chicago Alderman and 
Major General of Knights of Pythias, says: 

The book is a jewel. You are the uncrowned 
queen of literary art. 

Dr. S. G. Baker, Editor of "The Messenger", 
says: 

This production places Madame Figgs in the 
school of poets, and should be read by all. 

I hope that "Nuggets of Gold" will inspire you 
as does a golden nugget when dropped into your 
palm, and meet your kind approval as does "Poetic 
Pearls". 

C. L. M. F. 



MY NUGGETS OF GOLD 




I own three golden nuggets. 

Two boys and a girl; 
Who fondly call me mother ; 

I'm the happiest woman in the world. 

I loved them ere they knew me, 
I prayed that they might live; 

As their little brown arms entwined me, 
I gave all that I could give. 

A mother's love and sympathy; 

A mother's joy and tears ; 
A mother's heart — felt interest, 

And above all, a mother's prayers. 

I heard their childish laughter, 

I joined them in their play; 
I kissed their cuts and bruises; 

I wiped their tears away. 

God has let me keep my nuggets, 
Til now they are lumps of gold ; 

I pray that He will refine them, 
And when life is over take them into his 

[fold. 



A PRAYER 

1 

Father of the fatherless, 

Friend of the poor, 
Husband for the widow, 

Open hopes' door. 

2 
Thou hast heard us pray 

In days gone by; 
Hear us now Father; 

Heed Thou our cry. 

3 
Thou art Almighty, 

We know Thou art God, 
All men are thy children, 

Their Mother the sod. 

4 
Thou didst lead Israel 

From Egypt's dark land, 
Lead us Father; 

Grant us thy hand. 
5 
Make America safe for Democracy, 

Safe for black as well as other men; 
Hear us Father, 

We beg thee — Amen. 



10 



LIFE 

1 

A moment of pleasure, 

An hour of pain, 
A day of sunshine, 

A week of rain, 
A fortnight of peace, 

A month of strife, 
These taken together 

Make up life. 

2 
One real friend 

To a dozen foes, 
Two open gates, 

'Gainst twenty that's closed, 
Prosperity's chair, 

Then adversity's knife; 
These my friends 

Make up life. 

3 
At daybreak a blossom, 

At noontime a rose, 
At twilight 'tis withered, 

At evening 'tis closed. 
The din of confusion, 

The strain of the fife, 
These with other things 

Make up life. 

4 
A gmile, then a tear, 

Like a mystic pearl, 
A pause, then a rush 

11 



Into the jriad whirl, 
A kiss, then a stab 

From a traitor's knife; 
I think that you'll agree with me, 

That this life. 



LOVE 

Something that makes you feel 

Like a fool half the time. 
Something that makes you act 

Like a mule when he's blind. 
Something over which you have 

Absolutely no control, 
Something that makes your blood hot, 

And then it makes it cold. 

2 
Something that dulls your senses, 

And then sometime make them keen 
Something that makes you kind and sweet, 

But sometimes makes you mean. 
Something that makes the eyes soft. 

And makes the heart beat fast. 
Something that clings to memory 

In the ctiy of the past. 

3 
Something that's high and holy, 

Then sometimes it's mean and low, 
But it will make you leap through fire, 

It will make you wade through snow, 
It will make you cross the ocean, 

It will make you mount the air; 
It will make you cross the desert; 

12 



It will make you curse and swear. 

4 
Something that makes you happy, 

Then sometimes it makes you sad. 
Something that makes you beetter, 

Then semotimes it makes you bad. 
It was this that made Adam 

Have to leave his Eden home, 
And 'twas this that made Ahasuerus 

Bring Esther to his throne. 

5 
Something that's high as heaven, 

Something deeper than a well. 
Something so mysterious 

That wise men fail to tell. 
It makes of you a lion, 

Then it makes of you a dove 
This mysterious thing I speak of 

Is, LOVE, love. 



WHOA MULE 
(Dialect ) 
1 
Whoa mule; aint you got no sense? 

Keep jammin dis cart up to dis fence 
Don't you know you'll break it down? 
You's de biggest fool mule in dis town. 

2 
Anybody dat looks at you 

Can see you is country thru and thru 
A city mule has got some sense 

You never see him jammin de fence. 

13 



When his boss says to him "be still" 

He, stops right then and obeys his will 
He gently turns his head around 

To see if his boss is on the ground. 

4 
He stands up jes where he is placed 

He looks a street car in de face 
He winks at autos passing by 

From motorcycles he will not shy. 

5 
I know you've seen a car befo, 

Don't you hear me keep saying whoa!! 
I'll take dis stick and bust yo hide, 

You act so daw-gonned country-fied. 

6 
Now when I get up from my seat, 

You stand bolt upright on yo feet; 
And let these city mules find out, 

That you are not a country clout. 
7 
Mule, are you really trying to pout, 

Or are you trying to pitch me out? 
The mo I talk to you bout sense; 

The mo you jams into this fence. 

8 
You think that you'll have some fun, 

But mule, my business you can't run; 
I'll tell you when I want to go, 

Stand up I tell you ; I mean whoa ! ! 



14 



ROLLING WATERS 

1 

Rolling waters, tell me true, 

Just how long you've dashed and rolled 
Rolling waters deep and blue, 

Really are you very old? 

2 
Rolling waters, I know you. 

Yet, of you I am so afraid; 
Tell me of the things you do 

Tell me of the graves you've made. 

3 
Then the waters answered me, 
rpi " I p wa 1 s her e ere God made man 
Ine God of heaven named me "Sea" 

And called your place of abode, land. 

4 
Upon my bosom fishes play, 

Upon my bosom storms do ride 
Within my bowels treasurers lay 

That I swallowed with fiendish pride 

5 
I swallow ships, I swallow men; 

I give them a bed upon my floor 
To sleep and never wake again 

Til time shall cease and be no more 

™ • 6 

Man is to rule all things on land, 

Man can tame the lion bold; 
But I wish man to understand 

That o'er me, he has no control. 



15 



I leap, I dash, I rise and fall, 

I allow your ships to ride my foam; 
At times I am a chasm then a wall; 

I obey God and God alone. 

8 
All men to me are just the same, 

I treat the rich as I do the poor, 
I care not for their wealth or fame 

They are men to me and nothing more, 

9 
I leap, I dash, I rise and fall 

I allow your ships to ride my foam.; 
I heed nobody's cry or call, 

I obey God and God alone. 



THE NEGRO'S UPWARD FLIGHT 



As the eagle soars skyward 

Each day in her flight 
The Negro soars upward 

From darkness to light. 

2 
He has flown from his cabin 

His banjo and pranks 
To position and honor 

To title and rank. 

3 
His brother in white 

Is no longer his peer 
He is the equal of any man 

Found anywhere. 

16 






4 
He left slavery's shore 

And for knowledge he sought 
Today he is a giant 

In the city of thought. 

5 
He is not begging for favors 

Along so called social lines 
He wants equal rights 

For this only, he pines. 

6 
He's a citizen in peace 

He is a soldier in the war's din 
But he asks for the treatment 

That is given to other men. 

WE ARE MARCHING 

1 

We are marching, truly marching 

Can't you hear the sound of feet? 
We are fearing no impediment 

We have never known defeat. 

2 
Like Job of old we have had patience, 

Like Joshua, dangerous roads we've trod 
Like Solomon we have built out temples. 

Like Abraham we've had faith in God. 

3 
Up the streets of wealth and commerce, 

We are marching one by one 
We are marching, making history, 

For ourselves and those to come. 

17 



4 

We have planted schools and churches. 

We have answered duty's call. 
We have marched from slavery's cabin 

To the legislative hall. 

5 
Brethren can't you catch the spirit? 

You who are out just get in line 
Because we are marching,, yes we are 
marching 

To the music of the time. 

6 
We are marching, steady marching 

Bridging chasms, crossing streams 
Marching up the hill of progress 

Realizing our fondest dreams. 

7 
We are marching, truly marching 

Can't you hear the sound of feet? 
We are fearing no impediment 

We shall never know defeat. 



SIGNS 

If a black cat cross your way, 

You'll have bad luck all day. 
If you meet a cross-eyed man, 

You might as well change your plan. 
If your left eye jumps, 

You are going to have some awful bumps. 
If you strike your right foot big toe, 

Into trouble you are bound to go. 
If you put your hat on the bed, 

18 



Disappointments are ahead. 
If there's an itching of the right hand, 

You'll get a letter from a man. 
If the left hand itch its funny, 

But youll surely get some money. 
If you dream of the dead, 

Rain is not far ahead. 



THE BLACK QUEEN 

All hail! this honest dusky maid, 
Let all others prostrate fall; 

Bring forth the international diadem, 
And crown her queen of all. 

In all pure womanly qualities, 
She stands serene and tall, 

Way up above the average, 
This makes her queen of all. 

She's not a sluggard at any place, 

She answers duty's call 
Come all ye people, small and great, 

And crown her queen of all. 

She stands bolt upright by her men, 
She will not let them fall, 

Now for her valor, tip your hat, 
And crown her queen of all. 



19 



DEAR OLD HOME OF MINE 

1 

Tis true I've moved far from you 

Into another cline 
But there is no place just like you 

Dear old home of mine. 

2 
I've made many new friends 

They invite me out to dine 
There are no friends like home friends, 

Dear old home friends of mine. 

3 
I love your smiling waters 

I love your sun kissed clime 
I love your vales and meadows 

Dear old home of mine. 

4 
I love your grassy meadows 

I still hear the whispering pine 
I fancy that I hear song-birds singing 

In that dear old home of mine. 

5 
At night I dream of old friends, 

With love their faces shine 
The smiles and hand shakes thrill 

In that dear old home of mine. 

20 



A TEMPERANCE POEM 

1 

Temperance is a holy cause; 

It teaches naught but love, 
The God who rules the universe 
Indorses it above. 

2 
The wine cup is dangerous, 

It makes you from good breeding part, 
It drags you down to ruin, 

And takes possession of your heart. 

3 
I wouldn't be a drunkard's wife 

I hate the maddening cup, 
It taints your morals, wrecks your life; 
And drinks your senses up. 

4 
Oh Temperance, Temperance wonderous 
name 
That reaches men in every clime 
That lifts them from their walks of shame 
And makes them walk in paths sublime. 

5 
Great God protect the Temperance cause; 

Shelter it neath thy mighty wing; 
Defend those who uphold its laws, 

So of sweet Temperance they might 
sing. 



21 



NANCY 

1 

Nancy is a nurse sir 

She's just as fine as silk 
She is always bright and smiling, 

But she insists on giving you milk, 
Says she, "It's the doctor's orders" 

That you shall have no meat: 
She fills you with the liquid 

While the chicken she does eat. 

2 
She opens wide your mouth sir, 

And your temperature she takes, 
Then she writes down something funny 

In a booklet that she makes 
Just to show the doctor 

How well you are thriving 
And to impress upon him greatly, 

To obey him she is striving. 

3 
You can tell when the doctor's coming 

Nancy sticks clown her hair 
Then she paints and powders her face sir 

Until she is beautiful and fair 
She bathes your face and gently rubs 

The wrinkles from your cheek 
She says: "now dearie lie quite still 

And to doctor do not speak." 

4 
She warns you "now be careful" 

Be quiet as a mouse 
Look wise and smile quite cheerful 

22 



The doctor's in the house" 
To keep you from telling doctor 

That ail the chicken she did eat 
She tells him that you are delirious 

And strange things do repeat. 

5 
Nancy really knows her business, 

She is loving clean and neat 
She will nurse you back to life sir, 

But your goodies she will eat. 
She will read you fairy stories, 

She'll take you to the land of Fancy 
While she eats your chicken, cream and 
cake, 

This mystifying Nancy. 



I WILL TRUST IN JESUS 
(Sacred) 
1 
Tho my path be dark as night, 

I will trust in Jesus. 

Tho I see no ray of light, 

I will trust in Jesus. 



Tho my sky be thunder riven, 

I will trust in Jesus. 
He looks down upon me from high heaven 

I will trust in Jesus. 

3 
Tho my cheeks be bathed with tears, 

I will trust in Jesus. 
He can carry all of my cares, 

I will trust in Jesus. 

23 



4 
I will trust him all the way, 

My friend, my Savior, Jesus. 
Until I reach that "Perfect Day", 

I will trust in Jesus. 

WHO'S YOU TALKIN TO 

(Dialect) 

1 

Boy! I'll split you wide open, 

You gitten yo sef some brass; 
Everytime I open my mouf to you, 

You got to gim-me a game o sass. 

2 
I always thought you'd be nothin, 

You low lifed ugly viilun; 
You is mo like your old daddy 

Than any of my other chillun. 

3 
What you say? you glad you like him? 

Shut up! don't talk back to me, 
Didn't you hear me say shut up you rascal, 

Why I'll beat you 'til you can't see. 

4 
Why I'LL break you down in the loins sir 

If you gimme any mo' talk 
Don't you think that I can't reach you 

Cause I got rheumatiz and can't walk. 

5 
Now stop dsit sniffin and cryin' 

Take yo' sleeve and wipe dem nose 
Stop dat humpin in yo' shoulders 

Straighten out dem crooked toes. 

24 






6 ' 

Go on on' clean dat kitchen. 

Wash every dish pot an' pan 
Don't you roll yo' eyes at me sir 

Remember you aint no man. 

7 
Lawd have mercy on dat boy 

You know Lawd I aint mad 
But I have to scare him up like dat 

Cause he is so everylasting bad. 

THE MURDERER 

1 

John Jones and Fred Pratt had a falling out ; 

It was all about Nellie Brown; 
Nell liked Jones better than she did Pratt, 
So of course she turned Pratt down. 

2 
Says Pratt: "Miss Brown, Jones is a thief, 

He served three years on the gang ; 
He is only a common rousta bout; 
Pardon me for such slang. 

3 
I know for when my father was County 
Judge, he sentenced Jones three times; 
Once for stealing a box of hams, 
Once for stealing a dime 
And the third time for stealing a little 
girl not past the age of nine". 
4 
Now this was a malicious lie ; 
Nell unlike most girls could see 

25 



So she said " you are a coward Pratt 
To speak such words to me". 

5 
"Father says that John is a gentleman 

And I think he ought to know 
For they were in business together 

In the Klondike Eleven long years or more 

6 
"And further more I want to tell you 

To save contention and strife 
That with a heart filled with love 

I have promised to be no other than 
John Jone's wife. 

7 
These words sank deep into Pratt's mean 
soul, 
Thought he, "It shall never be 
Before he shall marry the girl I love 
I'll send his soul to eternity". 

8 
Pratt knew the road that Jones used 
When he went to see Miss Brown, 
He hid himself behind the trees, 
Just outside the town. 

9 
Jones came walking along slowly, 
Thinking "to-morrow Nell will be my 
bride" 
When suddenly Pratt sprang 
From the shrubery by his side. 

10 
He felled Jones with a bludgeon; 

26 



Then stabbed him to the heart, 
Then dragged his body from the road 

To a safe place in the dark. 

11 
He crept back through the shrubery, 

He fled into his home; 
But the eyes of God were upon him; 

He felt he was not alone. 

12 
Next day the constable sought him 

And confronted him with his crime; 
"You were seen" he told the murderer 

"By eyes more keen than mine". 

13 
The day that they had the trial, 

Nell's face was calm but firm; 
Neath her searching gaze Pratt faltered ; 

Like a worm he did squirm. 

14 
The Judge gave out this sentence, 

"You shall hang 'til you are dead" 
They marched the prisoner outside, 

To the gallows he was led. 

15 
He knelt in meditation; 

"Forgive me God," he said. 
He drove a dirk into his own heart; 

At the sheriff's feet he fell dead. 



27 



THE PICNIC 

1 
We had a wonderful time at the picnic; 

Everybody in town was there. 
We sang and played and frolicked 

Til our music filled the air. 

2 
Joe Brown was there with his sister ; 

And Ned was there with his gal 
Yes Sam was there with Mirandy; 

Pete Jenkins he brought Sal. 

3 
Parson Jones he brought the widow 

A leanin on his arm, 
You could see that he was frightened ; 

But he tried to look quite calm. 

4 
The young folks started dancing ; 

Parson lifted his glasses and said, 
"Suppose we don't do that children 

Let's have the grand march instead". 

5 
"Good" came a chorus of voices, 

Let the parson lead the march ; 
The parson walked out boldly, 

But his face was as white as starch. 

6 
The marchers walked out gracefully, 

Each couple took its place; 
Phil Tomkins gave the orders 

With perfect ease and grace. 



28 






7 
The band was playing Dixie, 

The parson looked left then right, 
His partner had gotten away from him, 
And was almost out of sight. 

8 
You know the widow can't see well ; 

And she grabbed Joe Bown by the arm 
Thinking that twas the parson 

Who was holding her by his charm. 

9 
Parson got Joe Brown's sister, 

And she's gay young thing; , 
When he found himself she had him 
Actually cutting the pigeon wing 

10 
The young folks caught the spirit, 

But when the parson tried to stop; 
His feet refused to help him, 
So on the floor he fell ker'flop 

11 
Now by him falling suddenly, 

It made us all fall down ; 
And my slipper heels were caught 
In the wig of Fannie Brown. 

12 
Well say, did she look funny? 
Everybody began to laugh; 
Her head looked like an apple 
When it is split in half. 

13 
I couldn't get my slipner 

From the tangles of that hair; 

29 



Imagine me a limping 

Around with my right foot bare. 

14 
We finally found our places 

And got back into line; 
But child I want to tell you 

We had one jolly time. 

THAT EASTERN STAR 

(Sacred) 

That star of joy and hope 

That star of love divine 
That star of light and peace and life 

That shines for all mankind. 

2 
Our star reminds of Him 

Who died on Calvary's tree 
Whose blood can cleanse from every sin 

And make the bondsman free. 

3 
That star shone through the past 

It will shine for years to come 
Its beams have led us through the blast 

Its beams will lead us home. 

4 
Dear guiding star above 

Of thee, to thee we sing 
Lead us with the rays of love 

While to thy points we cling. 



30 



SMILE, WORK AND SING 

Smile and the world grows better, 
Smile and upon gloom put a fetter, 

Smile and open friendships letter; 
Smile, Smile, it's a deal of fun. 

Work and the task grows lighter 
Work, and your sun shines brighter 

Work, and your grip grows tighter 
On success, and you're sure to win. 

Sing and you help your brother, 
Sing, you lift the cloud for another 

Sing and evil thoughts you smother 
From the recesses of your heart. 



31 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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